Report it Right: Others who can help
We understand that when you contact us, you are looking for help and advice.
Not every issue is a policing matter. In many cases, another organisation can provide faster and more appropriate support.
To help you get the right support quickly, we've listed organisations that may be better placed to help with specific issues.
When something's wrong, report it to the right organisation
Other emergency services
Please note these are non-emergency numbers for people looking for advice and information. If it is a life or death emergency, call 999 and ask for the Fire or Ambulance service.
- NHS 111 (non-emergency medical advice) 111
- Cornwall Fire 0300 123 4232
- Devon & Somerset Fire Brigade 01392 872200
Useful contact numbers
| Concern | Agency dealing | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
| Air pollution (Bonfires, smoke, fumes, dust etc) |
Environmental Health Office (part of local council) The police will attend if the smoke is obstructing visibility on a highway | Contact details for your local Environmental Health Office can be found below |
| Animals that have been neglected or suffered cruelty | RSPCA Please note: Police will assist where animals have been left in hot vehicles and are distressed or in danger |
RSPCA www.rspca.org.uk |
| Business dispute | Reporting a problem to Trading Standards | Citizens advice |
| Dogs – lost, found and strays Dog fouling Dogs barking too loudly |
Dog warden (local council) | Contact details for your local dog warden can be found below Useful websites: Pets located com National pet register org/ |
| Dangerous dogs (in a public place). If a dog is causing an immediate danger or is on a highway | Devon and Cornwall Police | Call 999 if there is an immediate risk to life, serious injury, or danger. |
| Fly tipping | Environmental Health Office (part of local council) | Contact details for your local Environmental Health Office can be found below |
| Flooding | Environment Agency | GOV.UK website For the latest flood information in your area |
| Fraud | Report Fraud deals with all fraud, unless the suspect is known to the victim or is vulnerable. In which case, call 101. | Tel: 0300 123 2040 Report Fraud |
| Homeless or sleeping rough | Devon and Cornwall Rough Sleepers | Tel 0300 500 0914 Street Link |
| Legal advice | A charity that assists with civil or legal matters than are not criminal in nature |
Tel: 0344 411 1444 |
| Boundary / land ownership disputes | GOV.UK land registry issues and or Northern Devon community mediation | Visit
|
| Personal problems | Samaritans a charity that offers help and advice or just someone to talk to about personal problems. |
Call 116 123 for free |
| Power cut | You can call 105 to report or get information about power cuts in your local area. 105 is a free service, available to people in England, Scotland and Wales. You can call the number from most landlines and mobile phones. | Tel: 105 Power Cut 105 |
| Noise pollution (noisy neighbours, building work etc) |
Environmental Health Office (part of local council) | Contact details for your local Environmental Health Office can be found below |
| Potholes | Your local council | Contact details for your local council can be found below |
| Railways (incidents on the rail network) |
British Transport Police (BTP) | Tel: 080 040 5040 British Transport Police (BTP) |
| Railways For lost or found property on trains or at a station. |
Please contact the train company that runs the train or the station directly | Train company or station Useful website: National Rail Enquiries |
| Vehicles Illegally parked on double yellow lines etc |
Parking enforcement (Local council) |
Contact details for your local parking enforcement can be found below |
| Vehicles causing an obstruction or dangerously parked |
Devon and Cornwall Police | Contact your Local Policing Team |
Environmental Health Office
The Environmental Health Office (EHO) at the local council deal with noise nuisance (such as loud parties, noisy neighbours etc). The police can take a log of the details and we will advise the Local Policing Team for their information. Complete the online Antisocial behaviour form and give as much information as you can, including times, dates and address of where the noise is coming from.
Please note the police will not attend a noise nuisance type of call.
Air pollution from bonfires and hypodermic needles found in public places are also dealt with by EHO, as well as fly-tipping, unless the offender is currently at the scene and then the Police will attend.
- Cornwall: 0300 1234 212
Cornwall Environmental Protection - Noise - East Devon: 01395 517457 (9-5pm) 01395 516854 (OOH: out of office)
- Exeter: 01392 277888 (24hr) 01392 723999 (University Security 24h)
- Mid Devon: 01884 244601 (9-5pm) 01884 255255 (OOH)
- North Devon: 01271 388870
- Plymouth: 01752 668000
- South Hams: 01803 861234 (9-5pm) 01803 867034 (msg talking facility)
- Teignbridge: 01626 215415 (Mon-Thu 8.30-5pm Fri 8.30-4.30pm) 01395 516854 (OOH) email [email protected]
- Torbay: 01803 208025 (9-5pm) 01803 550405 (OOH)
- Torridge: 01237 428810 (8.45-5.15pm) 01237 423700 (OOH)
- West Devon: 01822 813600 (8.45-5.15pm Mon-Thur) 01237 428700 (OOH)
Environment Agency
Council Parking Enforcement
The local council’s traffic enforcement officers deal with vehicles parked on double yellow lines or not abiding by parking rules, unless the vehicle is causing a danger or obstruction where it is located when the Police will assist.
- Cornwall: 0300 123 4100
- Devon: 0345 155 1075 (Customer call centre Mon - Fri 8am - 8pm and Sat 9am - 1pm)
Lost and Found Dogs / Excessive barking / Dog fouling
The Dog Warden at the local council deal with lost or found dogs unless the dog is causing an immediate danger to members of the public or is on a public highway, when Police will attend.
- Cornwall: 0300 1234 212
Cornwall online reporting form for dog fouling - East Devon: 01395 516551 (9-5pm) 0845 241 7253 OOH
- Exeter: 01392 265155 (8.30-5pm Mon - Fri) 0845 351 1060 (Sat-Sun 10-9pm)
- Mid Devon: 01884 255255 (24H)
- North Devon: 01271 388870 (9-5pm) 01271 388240 (OOH)
- Plymouth: 01752 304147 (9-5pm) No OOH
- South Hams: 01803 861234 (8-5pm) 01803 867034 (OOH)
- Teignbridge: 01626 215415 or 215419 (Mon to Thurs 8.30am-5pm, Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm) 01395 516854 OOH
- Torbay: 01803 208025 (9-5pm) 01803 550405 (OOH)
- Torridge: 01237 428810 (8.45-5.15) 01237 428700 (OOH)
- West Devon: 01822 813600 (msg taking facility OOH)
Council contact web pages and or numbers
- Cornwall: 0300 1234 100
- East Devon: web page:
- Exeter: 01392 277888
- Mid Devon: 01884 255255
- North Devon: 01271 327711
- Plymouth: 01752 668000
- South Hams: 01803 861234
- Teignbridge: 01626 361101
- Torbay: contact web page
- Torridge: 01237 428700
- West Devon: 01822 813600
Britain’s railways
British Transport Police (BTP) – 0800 405 040 – For incidents that occur on Britain’s railways.
Lost or found property on trains or at a station please contact the train company that runs the train or the station directly.
Useful website:
National Rail Enquires